Filling valve

ABSTRACT

A valve comprising a housing defining a control space with an outlet port for fluid egress from the space and at least one inlet port for fluid ingress into the space control member is displaceable between an open state in which the outlet port is open and a closed state in which the outlet port is closed. The at least one inlet port of the at least one inlet port is formed at a wall portion of the housing at an upper wall portion, and a fluid draining port is formed at or adjacent a bottom end of the housing for draining fluid from the control space. The fluid draining port serves for preventing fluid ingress into the control space.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/IL01/00141 which has an Internationalfiling date of Feb. 14, 2001, which designated the United States ofAmerica.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally in the field of fuel valves and morespecifically it is concerned with improving such valves wherein thefilling level in a vehicle's fuel tank is maximized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has always been a desired object among vehicle manufacturers anddesigners to provide vehicle fuel tanks with interruption valves whichon the one hand function as per their intended purpose (e.g. roll-overvalve, venting valve, over filling interdiction valve, vapor recoveryvalve, separator valve, etc.) whilst, on the other hand, shut down afuel filling process only when the fuel has reached a maximum levelwithin the tank, i.e. leaving a minimal “dead space” within the tank.

The term “dead space” refers to a volume of the fuel tank which remainsempty when the tank is filled at a maximum level. The term “buoyancylevel” denotes the level at which a control member within the valve(typically a buoy member) displaces from an open position to a closedposition in which an outlet port of the valve closes, thereby shuttingoff the filling process.

The fuel filling process is normally terminated when the liquid reachesthe buoyancy level within the tank, whereby the control member withinthe valve displaces into a closed, sealing position so as to seal anoutlet of the valve, resulting in pressure rise within the tank and fuelrising within a fuel pipe of the tank whereby a filling spout fittedwith an automatic shut-off sensor ceases the fuel flow into the tank asknown per se.

On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for designing fueltanks which require minimal overhead space of the vehicle, namely withminimal projections extending from surfaces of the tank and with maximumratio of tank volume versus filling capacity. For that purpose, therehave been designed suitable fuel valves which are received within thefuel tank. Such valves however, significantly project into the fueltank, as compared with conventional valves, having a relatively lowbuoyancy level, thereby shutting off a fueling process at an earlierstage as compared with fuel valves projecting above the fuel tank.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel valve whereinthe shut-oft level is significantly higher as compared with prior artvalves and extends substantially adjacent a top wall of the tank,thereby reducing the dead space to a minimum, without interfering withthe valve's function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a valve comprisinga housing defining a control space with an outlet port for fluid egressfrom said space and at least one inlet port for fluid ingress into saidspace; and a displaceable control member displaceable between an openstate in which the outlet port is open and a closed state in which saidoutlet port is closed;

-   -   the valve characterized in that:    -   the at least one inlet port of said at least one inlet port is        formed at a wall portion of the housing at an upper wall        portion, and a liquid draining port is formed at or adjacent a        bottom end of the housing for draining liquid from said space,        said liquid draining port preventing liquid ingress into the        control space.

The arrangement is such that in its assembled position within the tank,the level of the at least one inlet port defines a maximum filling levelof the tank and thus extends adjacent a top wall portion of the tank.

The control member displaces into its open state upon liquid egress fromthe housing via said draining port.

The draining port is adapted for allowing vapor flow from the tank intothe control space, while liquid flow in that direction only isprohibited. This arrangement constitutes a liquid one way valve. By oneparticular embodiment the draining port comprises a liquid-responsiveclosure member which closes the draining port to prevent liquid ingressinto the control space. By still a particular example, the draining portis formed with a flow path, and the liquid-responsive closure member isa float member displaceable between an open position in which the flowpath is open, and a closed position in which the flow path is closed.

By another particular embodiment, the liquid-responsive closure memberis a flexible member displaceable between an open position in which thedraining port is open and a closed position in which the draining portis closed so as to prevent egress of liquid from the space.

As a different alternative, the liquid-responsive closure member is aspring-biased door member which is normally biased into its closedposition by spring means. The mass of the liquid within the controlspace causes the door member to momentarily displace from its normallyclosed and sealed position into its open position, discharging theliquid into the fuel tank. Fluid ingress into the control chamber viathe closure member is prevented.

By a particular embodiment of the invention, the valve extends withinthe tank from a top wall portion thereof, wherein the at least one inletport is formed at an upper portion of the wall of the housing adjacentsaid upper wall portion of the tank.

The arrangement in accordance with the invention is such that whenliquid enters the housing via said at least one inlet port, it entailsdisplacement of the control member into its closed state, where saidcontrol member displaces into its open state upon draining of thehousing via the draining port.

In accordance with a modification of the invention there is provided avalve for attaching at a top wall portion of a tank, said valvecomprising a housing formed with an outlet port for fluid egress with acontrol member adapted for selectively closing and opening said outletport responsive to liquid level within the housing; a liquid inlet portformed at said housing adjacent the top wall of the tank, and a draininginlet port formed at said housing adjacent the top wall of the tank, anda draining port at a bottom portion of the housing for liquid egressfrom said housing and to prevent liquid ingress into the housing.

The arrangement is such that a control member opens the outlet port whenliquid egresses from the housing via the draining port (after liquidlevel has descended in the tank).

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the valve extendswithin the tank from a top wall portion thereof, whereby the at leastone inlet port is formed at an upper portion of the wall of the housingadjacent said upper wall portion of the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding the invention and to see how it may be carriedout in practice, the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1D are sectional views illustrating four consecutive stages offilling process utilizing a valve in accordance with the presentinvention, fitted in a fuel tank;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a different embodiment of avalve in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a valve in accordance with still a furtherembodiment, wherein the valve partially projects from a top wall of thefuel tank;

FIG. 4 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a different embodiment of the present inventionfitted with a one-way draining valve; wherein

FIGS. 5B and 5C are partial enlarged views illustrating the one-waydraining valve illustrated in FIG. 5A in a closed and open position,respectively; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the valve is fitted with a door-like closure member, in itsnormally closed and sealed position and in its open position,respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A-1D of the drawings illustratinga first embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The valve,generally designated 10 is entirely received within a fuel tank andextends from a top wall portion 14 thereof. However, it will beappreciated that the valve 10 may be of any design serving as one ormore of a roll-over valve (ROV), over-filling interdiction valve (OFI),filling-limit vent-valve (FLVV), etc.

The valve 10 is attached to wall portion 14 by means of portion 16extending through an opening 18 formed in the wall with a cover portion20 for ensuring tight sealing of the fuel tank, i.e. liquid/vaporimpermeability.

The valve 10 has a cylindrical housing 24 defining a control space 26.Control space 26 is formed at an upper end thereof with an outlet port30 extending into an outlet nozzle 34. Housing 24 is formed at an upperportion thereof with an inlet port 36 (only one seen although, more thanone are possible) defining a flow communication path between theinterior of the tank and the control space 26. A control member supportwall 27 is formed with one or more apertures 28 for improved flowcommunication.

Formed at a bottom of the housing 24 there is a draining port 40 fordrainage of control space 26 into the fuel tank. Draining port 40 isgoverned by a float member 42 displaceable between an open position(FIGS. 1A and 1D) and a closed position (FIGS. 1B and 1C) responsive toliquid level within the fuel tank.

Extending above float member 42 there is a control member 46displaceable between an open state (FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D) in which theoutlet port 30 is open, and a closed position (FIG. 1C ) in which theoutlet port 30 is sealed by an upper surface 48 of the control member46. It is noted that control member 46 is biased by a coiled spring 50for assisting the control member 46 to displace into its closed state(FIG. 1C).

The arrangement is such that when liquid in the fuel tank is below thebuoyancy level of float member 42 the latter is in its open state asseen in FIG. 1A. In this position, fuel vapor (not liquid) may also beremoved from the fuel tank via the draining port. However, during afueling process, liquid level within the fuel tank raises to theposition seen in FIG. 1B wherein float member 42 is displaced into itsclosed position, sealing the draining port 40. In this state, the outletport 30 still remains open whereby fuel vapor continues to egress vianozzle 34, as long as filling process continues.

When liquid level reaches the position seen in FIG. 1C leaving a minimaldead space if at all, it enters the control space 26 via inlet port 36giving rise to displacement of control member 46 into its closedposition, thus sealing outlet port 30. At this stage the filling processterminates by a cut-off mechanism associated with a fuel-filling spoutas known per se, as a result of resistance sensed at the fueling spout.

As fuel level within the tank drops below the buoyancy level of floatmember 42, the latter displaces into its open position (FIG. 1D) wherebycontrol space 26 drains through draining port 40. This entailsdisplacement of control member 46 into its open position whereby thefuel tank is again vented through outlet port 30. It is appreciated thatduring traveling of the vehicle, the control member displaces within thecontrol space responsive to liquid, as known per se without interferingwith the designated functioning of the valve.

Further attention is now directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings illustratinga modification of the embodiment seen in FIG. 1 wherein the valvegenerally designated 60 is attached to the top wall portion 62 of thetank in a snap-type manner at 64 with a sealing cover 66, similar to thecover 20 in the previous embodiment. Housing 68 is integrally formedwith an outlet port 70 extending into an outlet nozzle 72, an inlet port76 formed at an uppermost portion of the housing 68, adjacent the topwall portion 62 of the fuel tank and a draining port 78 closeable by aclosing member 80 displaceable between an open position (not shown) anda closed position as in FIG. 2, responsive to liquid level within thefuel tank.

Downward displacement of closing member 80 is restricted by means oflugs 82 displaceable within openings 84 formed in housing 68 with anexpanded portion 86 restricting further downward displacement.

Mounted on an upper surface of closing member 80 there is a controlmember 90 displaceable within control space 92 between a closed positionin which it sealingly closes outlet port 70 (this position is notillustrated) and an open position in which outlet port 70 is open, asseen in FIG. 2. Radially extending support ribs 93 support the controlmember 90 during its displacing motion. It is also noted that closingmember 80 is an open type float member responsive to liquid level.

The operation of the valve illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar to thesequence of operation shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D and the reader isreferred to the relevant portions above.

Whilst in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 the valve member was entirelyreceived within the tank, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3,there is provided a valve generally designated 100 having a housing 102extending through a large opening 104 of a top wall 106 of the tank,where the valve 100 is secured to the wall portion 106 by acircumferential flange 108 welded at 110 thereto.

Similar to the previous embodiments, housing 102 is formed with anoutlet port 114 being in flow communication with an outlet nozzle 116extending above the top wall surface 106 and an inlet port 118 formedright below the bottom surface of top wall portion 106 for liquidingress into the control space 120 of valve 100.

A draining port 124 is formed at a bottom end of housing 102 with afloat member 126 being articulated at a bottom end of the housing andbeing displaceable between an open position as in FIG. 3 and a closedposition (not shown) in which it closes the draining port 124 as aresult of buoyancy forces imparted thereto by fuel level rising withinthe tank as explained in connection with FIG. 1B above. Downwarddisplacement of the float member 126 is restricted by means of tooth 130engageable with a corresponding shoulder portion 132 of housing 102.

Extending above float member 126 there is a float control member 135displaceable between an open position as in FIG. 3, wherein outlet port114 is vented, and a closed position (not shown) wherein the floatcontrol member bears against a corresponding surface of outlet port 114,sealingly closing the outlet.

Here again, the reader is directed to the description of FIGS. 1Athrough 1D for understanding how the valve operates.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is still another example of a valve 140 inaccordance with the present invention. Valve 140 is attached at a bottomsurface of the top wall of the fuel tank and depends from a stud formedin the wall. Principally the valve of FIG. 4 is similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1 with the major difference residing in the locationof inlet port 142 and the flow communication of the inlet port 142 withthe control space 144 of the valve which is through an inlet aperture146 formed at an inner wall portion 148 which is part of the housing.This arrangement is useful in particular for dampening hammering effectsof the valve.

Other components of the valve are essentially similar to the previousembodiments as well as the general operation of the valve.

Turning now to FIG. 5A there is illustrated a valve generally designated154 which comprises a housing 156 formed at an upper end thereof with aninlet port 158, an outlet port 160 being in flow communication withoutlet nozzle 162, a control space 164 with a draining port generallydesignated 168 sealable by a mushroom-type seal member 170 (see enlargedFIGS. 5B and 5C).

Displaceable within control space 164 there is a control float member174 displaceable between an open position (as in FIG. 5A) whereincontrol space 164 and thus the interior of the fuel tank are ventedthrough outer port 160, and a closed state (not shown) wherein floatcontrol member 174 sealingly bears against a corresponding surface ofoutlet port 160, as described hereinabove with reference to thepreceding embodiments.

The present embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in thatrather than a float member displaceably closing or opening the drainingport responsive to fluid liquid within the fuel tank, there is formed aone-way type valve wherein a bottom wall surface of the housing 156 isformed with several outlet apertures 180 normally sealed by peripheraledges of a flexible rubber mushroom-shaped seal member 170. In thenormal state of operation, when liquid in the fuel tank is below orabove the level of the draining port 168, the apertures 180 are sealedby peripheral portions of the flexible seal member 170. However, onceliquid level within the tank raises above level of inlet port 158(corresponding with the position of FIG. 1C) liquid enters the controlspace 164 resulting in displacement of control member 174 into itsclosed space. However, when liquid within the fuel tank drops below thelevel of draining port 168, liquid pressure within the control space 164imparts some pressure on the peripheral portions of the mushroom-shapedseal member 170, resulting in its deformation as shown in FIG. 5C,allowing draining of liquid through outlet openings 180, allowing thecontrol member 174 to displace back into its open position. It isappreciated however, that other types of one-way valves may be utilizedfor that purpose.

Further attention is now directed to FIGS. 6A and 6B in which the valve190 which is principally similar in construction and operation with theprevious embodiment disclosed in connection with FIGS. 5A-5C, thesignificant difference residing in the construction of the draining port192 (FIG. 6B) which is fitted with a one-way door-type valve assembly194. Door assembly comprises a door member 196 pivotally connected at198 to a lower portion 200 of the housing of the valve. The door 196 isbiased by spring 204 into its closed and sealed position, as in FIG. 6A.

The arrangement is such that above the draining port 192 there isprovided a ribbed seating 208 for supporting the flow control member andits spring (not shown).

Operation of the valve in accordance with this embodiment is principallysimilar to the disclosure of the previous embodiment referred to inFIGS. 5A-5C with the exception that the door 196 displaces from itsclosed and sealed position of FIG. 6A to its open position of FIG. 6B bymeans of pressure within the control chamber of the valve or by means ofa mass of fuel liquid bearing on the door 196 which momentarily causesit to displace into the open position. The remaining features of thevalve remain as disclosed and explained hereinabove.

Whilst preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is to beunderstood that it is not intended thereby to limit the disclosure ofthe invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications andarrangements falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention,mutatis mutandis.

1. A valve associated with a fuel tank in which above the level ofliquid in the tank is a vapor fluid, said valve comprising a housingdefining a control space having intercommunicating ports with an outletport for fluid egress from said control space, at least one inlet portfor fluid ingress into said control space and a liquid draining port;and a displaceable control member displaceable between an open state inwhich said outlet port is open and a closed state in which said outletport is closed; the valve characterized in that: the at least one inletport is formed in an outer lateral wall of the housing, said at leastone inlet port being located at an upper part of the outer lateral wallportion, and said fluid draining port is formed at or adjacent a bottomend of the housing for draining fluid from said space, said fluiddraining port preventing fluid ingress into the control space; saiddraining port being closeable by means responsive to the level of fluidin the tank, the arrangement being such that when the level of fluid inthe tank is lower than the at least one inlet port, said control memberrests on said means responsive to the level of fluid in the tank.
 2. Avalve according to claim 1 for fitting in a tank, wherein the level ofthe inlet port defines a maximum filling level of the tank.
 3. A valveaccording to claim 1, wherein said draining port comprises one or moreone way valves.
 4. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the drainingport comprises a fluid-responsive closure member which closes thedraining port to prevent fluid ingress into the control space.
 5. Avalve according to claim 4, wherein the draining port is formed with aflow path, and the fluid-responsive closure member is a float memberdisplaceable between an open position in which the flow path is open,and a closed position in which the flow path is closed.
 6. A valveaccording to claim 4, wherein the liquid-responsive closure member is aflexible member displaceable between an open position in which thedraining port is open and a closed position in which the draining portis closed so as to prevent egress of liquid from the space.
 7. A valveaccording to claim 4, wherein the liquid-responsive closure member is adoor-type valve normally biased into a closed position in which thedraining port is closed so as to prevent egress of liquid from thespace, and an open position in which the draining port is momentarilyopened to discharge the control space into the tank.
 8. A valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the control member displaces to its openstate when fluid egresses from the housing via the draining port.
 9. Avalve according to claim 1, wherein the valve extends within the tankfrom a top wall portion thereof, whereby the at least one inlet port isformed at an upper portion of the wall of the housing adjacent saidupper wall portion of the tank.
 10. A valve member according to claim 1,wherein fluid entering said housing via said inlet port entailsdisplacement of the control member into its closed state, and where saidcontrol member displaces to its open state upon draining of the housingvia the draining port.
 11. A valve according to claim 1, wherein thedraining port is fluid responsive and closes upon sensing liquid out ofthe housing.
 12. A valve for attaching at a top wall portion of a tank,said valve comprising a housing formed with an outlet port for fluidegress with a control member adapted for selectively closing and openingsaid outlet port responsive to fluid level within the housing; an inletport formed at said housing adjacent the top wall of the tank, and adraining port at a bottom portion of the housing for fluid egress fromsaid housing and to prevent fluid ingress into the housing and saiddraining port being closeable by a means responsive to the level offluid in the tank, the arrangement being such that when the level offluid in the tank is lower than the inlet port, said control memberrests on said means responsive to the level of fluid in the tank.
 13. Avalve according to claim 12, wherein the control member opens the outletport when fluid egresses from the housing via the draining port.
 14. Avalve according to claim 12, wherein fluid entering said housing viasaid inlet port entails displacement of the control member into closingthe outlet port, and where said control member displaces to open saidoutlet port upon draining of the housing via the draining port.
 15. Avalve according to claim 12, wherein the valve extends within the tankfrom a top wall portion thereof, whereby the at least one inlet port isformed at an upper portion of the wall of the housing adjacent saidupper wall portion of the tank.
 16. A valve according to claim 12,wherein the draining port is fluid responsive and closes upon sensingfluid out of the housing.
 17. A valve according to claim 16, wherein thedraining port closes to prevent fluid ingress into the housing and opensto drain the housing when fluid level in the tank drops bellow theingress port.
 18. A valve according to claim 17 wherein the drainingport is fitted with a door-type one-way valve member which is normallybiased into a closed position preventing egress of fluid into thecontrol space.